2007 Smart Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 293 MOT tests, the 2007 Smart Cabriolet recorded a 77.5% pass rate. That is 4.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.0% of all tests — 6.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.7% in the 30-60k band and 28.1% in the 90-120k band, a 7.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 27 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 22 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.1% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 18 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 17 |
| 4 | Washers | 13 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 13 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.7% | 87 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.2% | 68 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.8% | 55 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 25 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 116 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 105 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 57 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 58 | 19.0% |
| 2023 | 57 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 59 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 54 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Cabriolet
On a 2007 Cabriolet, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Smart Cabriolets pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 293 2007 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Smart Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2007 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 30-60k band to 28.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 293 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.